Research shows that students are more engaged and successful when they experience certain learning conditions in class, like when schoolwork is made to feel relevant and meaningful ("meaningful work"); when critical feedback is provided in an affirming, growth-oriented way ("feedback for growth"); and when student-teacher relationships are supportive ("teacher caring").
In a 2022 study, students were more than 2x as likely to earn a B or better in math when they rated learning conditions most positively rather than most negatively, and the relationship between learning and math grades held even when controlling statistically for student race, gender, age, grade level, Free and Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL) status, and previous grades in the same math class. To read about each learning condition and research relevant to its impact on student outcomes, see Elevate Learning Conditions & References. Check out these videos to hear from students about the impact of their teachers using Elevate.
Elevate is a powerful, evidenced-based improvement tool that helps teachers gather and act on their students’ feedback in a systematic way. Over multiple cycles of inquiry and action, teachers and students partner together to establish classroom conditions that improve student engagement and learning outcomes. More than 75% of teachers improved classroom learning conditions when they used Elevate over multiple cycles of inquiry and action, and those learning conditions are strong predictors of academic engagement, success, and equity. You can hear directly from teachers who’ve used Elevate to improve in this article.
Elevate can also be used to secure federal or state funds that are reserved for programs that meet or exceed specific “tiers of evidence.” Our document on Elevate’s ESSA Tiers of Evidence can help education leaders cite the tiers of evidence that are relevant to their planned use of Elevate.
To learn more about why and how Elevate was created—and to learn more about its impact—check out these papers and videos:
Read: Measure Learning Environments, Not Just Students, to Support and Development
Read: How can schools support academic success while fostering healthy social and emotional development?
Read: Partner case studies from West Buffalo Charter School, the Network for College Success in Chicago Public Schools, and Yonkers Public Schools & the Bank Street Education Center.
Review: Papers cited for each Elevate learning condition.
Watch: 2022 Elevate Showcase to hear about the impact of Elevate directly from students, teachers, instructional leaders, and researchers.